Lawrence Speck

Professor

The W. L. Moody, Jr. Centennial Professorship in Architecture

Distinguished Teaching Professor

The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers Fellow

Larry Speck came to the faculty of the School of Architecture in 1975 after teaching at M.I.T for three years. He served as Founding Director of the Center of American Architecture and Design 1982 - 1990, was Associate Dean 1990 - 1992 and was Dean of the School 1992 - 2001. He has maintained an active architectural practice since 1975, initially as Lawrence W. Speck Associates and, since 1999, as a principal in the firm Page. His recent projects include Architecture for Discovery Green in Houston, the Torcasso House in New Mexico, the Chickasaw Health Center in Oklahoma, the new front door addition to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (in addition to the original building) and the new Academic and Administration Building for the UT Austin Medical School. His design work has been recognized by more than 100 national, state and local design awards over the last twenty-five years and has been published in 120+ articles in the US, England, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Turkey, China and Germany.

Speck is the author of over 70 publications (including three books and 11 chapters in books by others) focusing primarily on twentieth century American architecture and urbanism. Recent writing includes chapters in books on Cass Gilbert and Alvar Aalto and a book on the UT Austin campus with his colleague, Richard Cleary. He also wrote and hosted the PBS documentary , "Building the American City: San Antonio".

Teaching duties include the entry level undergraduate course, "Architecture and Society", "Theory I" for graduate students, and a course in "Creative Problem Solving". Speck has won eighteen University-wide teaching and service awards including the Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, the Friar Centennial Teaching Fellowship, the Cancellor's Council Teaching Award, the Blunk Centennial Professorship and the Amoco Teaching Award. He is a member of the UT Academy of Distinguished Teachers. In 2005 he received the Rominiec Award given by Texas Society of Architects for most outstanding architectural educator in the state and in 2011 he was the recipient of the ACSA/AIA Topaz Medallion given to one individual in North America in recognition of their contribution to architectural education.

Speck's current research in practice focuses on innovative uses of building materials including, in particular, the creative fabrication of steel, glass, stone, and concrete. In terms of Urban Design, he is deeply committed to downtown revitalization and to the creation of environments where pedestian and bicycle transportation can flourish. He continues to be interested in a long-standing exploration of contemporary architectural expressions based in the realities of sustainability, place and region.

Speck has also served as a member of the Architectural Advisory Board for the U.S. State Department Office of Overseas Buildings Operations, as a national Peer Reviewer fo rthe U. S. General Services Administration and on the boards of national environmental groups like Greenguard and Air Quality Sciences.